Capistrano Valley Falters Against Long Beach Wilson

Long Beach Wilson made the most of a tough situation and fought off a stubborn Capistrano Valley team to win a Southern Section Division I-AA girls’ volleyball first-round playoff match, 12-15, 15-13, 15-5, 15-13, Tuesday at Wilson.

Roxanne Orsini, a 6-foot senior middle blocker, had 24 kills and three blocks for Wilson (13-3), which advanced to play Glendora in the second round Thursday.

“I was stunned when I first saw the draw,” said Wilson Coach Rob Machan, whose team finished ranked fifth in the Division I-AA poll. “Then I thought there would be nothing better for us than to play a tough first-round match.

“Our goal is to win the whole thing, so you’re going to have to beat the best teams some time or another.”

Capistrano Valley (12-5), which finished second in the South Coast League, traveled to Wilson for a first-round match in 1997 but lost in five games.

Tuesday’s match had many similarities. The Cougars had their chances for an upset, but inconsistent passing and other minor problems scuttled their efforts.

“I’m pleased because the girls never quit,” Capistrano Valley Coach John Gipe said. “We just didn’t get it done. It was the little things, like not adjusting to their short serves.”

Wilson’s Allison Dillon served an ace, on a short serve, to close out the victory for the Bruins.

But the Cougars played a strong fourth game. Capistrano Valley senior Becky Warnick, who has committed to Brigham Young, finished with 19 kills, 10 blocks and 14 digs, had five kills and three blocks in the fourth game to help the Cougars pull even, 13-13.

A block by junior Ashley Thometz (11 kills) and junior setter Andrea Delsigne (34 assists, 10 digs, eight kills) gave the Cougars a side out at 13-12 and Delsigne spiked off the block to make it 13-13.

But Wilson’s Alicia Boswell (12 kills) spiked for a side out, then a Capistrano Valley hitting error and Dillon’s ace closed out the match.

Capistrano Valley started the match fast with Warnick tallying five kills and four blocks to lead the way to a 15-12 victory.

In Game 2, the Cougars fought off two game points to score four consecutive points and pull to within, 14-13. But two hitting errors gave Wilson the game.